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Saint-Andre wouldn’t risk Fofana

France boss Philippe Saint-André has vowed that his side will be vastly improved from the group that finished fourth in the Six Nations.

Les Bleusbegin their Rugby World Cup campaign this Saturday at Twickenham against old rivals Italy.

"We will be much better than in the Six Nations. We have been together since July 6. We've show it already in the warm-up games. The team is ready, much, much fitter and we are looking forward to the game against Italy.

"I have been waiting for this for four years and we must arrive with a smile on our faces.

"We are concentrating on our game, our strategy, our precision and our discipline. It's just a game of rugby.

"It is important not to put too much pressure on the players. They have to be ready in their heads, their guts and their shoes."

Saint-André also outlined why he had decided to leave out Wesley Fofana given he wasn't quite at full fitness.

"We need players at 100 per cent and Wesley is not 100 per cent. He is not out of the 23 on ability. I expect he will be 120 per cent on Wednesday (for the match against Romania)."

"I need guys ready for the first game and he is not ready. We have 31 good players and I pick the guys who are 100 per cent. I need guys completely ft and ready mentally and physically. I don't want to take any risk."